Conveyer.



C. H. BURTON.

CONVEYER.

APPLICATION mu) MAY 11. 1912.

Patented July 25, 1916.

ATTORNEYS 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WIT NESSES HIL 0pm,. I-ums '27.. macro Lllnc, NALIUNFIO'L u C. H. BURTON.

CONVEYER.

APPLICATION man mAYu. I912.

my NORRIS Farms ca. wumunm" WAsnlNc you n c Patented July 25, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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CHARLES H. BURTON, OF VTASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED STATES PNEUMATIC COMPANY, OF KEV] ORE, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF IVIAINE.

GONVEYER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1915.

Application filed May 11, 1912, Seriallto. 696,583.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Crnxrmns ll. Bmrron, a citizen of the United States, residing'at i Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyors, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to pneumatic conveyors, and particularly to the station construction of such a system for receiving and despatching carriers.

The objects of the invention are to provide simple and practical apparatus of the above nature which will be cheap to. con struct and rapid and eiiicient in operation. To accomplish its purposes, I provide the usual pneumatic tubes and a revolving member or cylinder containing a number of chambers which are brought into alinement with the tube by the revolution of the cylinder. At the end of the cylinder opposite the tube is provided a receiving table out of alinement with the tube. Locking means is provided, and the arrangement is such that when a carrier enters the chamber which is in alinement with the tube the cylinder is unlocked and the weight of the carrier ro tates it so that a new chamber is brought into alinement with the tube and the chamber which hasreceived the carrier is brought into registry or alinement with the receiving table.

in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of such parts of a complete system as are necessary to obtain a clear understanding of the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of. a terminal station taken on the line XX, Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the terminals with certain parts in section; Fig. l is a transverse section of the station shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the station when in position for dispatching a carrier; Fi 6 is a detailed view of thelocking means in unlocked position; and Fi 7 is a detailed view of the trip mechanism.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

Though the present embodiment ofthis invention will be described with reference I to an apparatus particularly adapted to carrying mail, merchandise and relatively heavy material a comparatively long distance in contradistinction to the small pneumatic tube apparatus frequently seen in department stores for sending money and change to and from the cashiers desk, it is,

lieved to be advantages in using pneumatic means inherent in the construction hereinafter set forth.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, there is denoted at l, a carrier support in the form of a tube composed of cast iron pipe having, in practice, an inner di ameter of 18 or 2st inches, which is laid beneath the ground connecting the two terminals, 11 and B. Each of these terminals comprises a movable or revoluble member 2, hereinafter termed a cylinder; adapted to rotate about fixed centers 3 between end plates l and 5. These end plates are held together means of tie-bars 6 passing through holes in the end plates and held in adjusted position by means of look nuts 7.

Each cylinder 2 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal passageways or chambers, in the present case three, denoted by the numerals 8, 9 and 10. These may be separate tubes mounted in a revoluble framework if desired. In normal position the chambers 8 and 9 are vertically above each other, the upper one 8 being in line with the end of thetube 1 and the lower chamber 9 in line with a receiving table T, hereinafter referred to. Mounted in a suitable box 11 on the outside of the cylinder, and radially disposed with relation to each chamber, are triggers or trips 12, loosely pivoted on a shaft 13 in such a manner as to swing freely inone direction, that is, to the left, Fig. 2, but to rotate the shaft 13 when moved to the right (see Fig. as when it is engaged by an incoming carrier C. This carrier C, shown diagrammatically in several views, is substantially the same as that described in my prior Patent No. 84:7,23l of March 12, 1907, and needs no detailed description. Mounted at one end of the shaft and receiving table.

13 on the outside of the box llis a trans verse crank member 1 1 to which are piv,

otally connected locking bolts 15 and 16, the ends of which engage recesses 18 in the end plates 4: and 5, respectively. support the locking bolts and form one abutment for coiled'springs 20 surrounding the bolts. Abutments 21, rigidly secured to the bolts 15 and 16, confine the spring and cause the same to be compressed when the trip 12 is swung to the right. It will thus be seen that as the carrier Centers the chamber 8 it will move the trip 12 to the right, withdrawing thebolts 15 and 16 from the recesses 18 in the end plates, Fig. 6,. As

soon as these bolts are withdrawn the weight of the carrierwill causethe cylinder to rotate about its central axis until the chamber 8 occupies the position formerly occupied by the chamber 9. 7 During this ro- .tating movement the bolts '15 and 16 will slide around on the inner surfaces of the end plates. /Vhen, however, the revolving member has made one-third of a revolution, the locking bolts associated with the cham ber '10 will come opposite the recesses 18 and be forced into locking position by the previously"compressed springs 20, thus arresting the cylinder witlithe chambers in their properrelativeposition to the.-tube l Pawls 22 are mounted on the end plate and engage notches 23 in the cylinder to prevent av rebounding of the cylinder out of alinement.

The present system is preferably operated on the vacuum principle in contradistinction to the compressed air method, as it is believed to be cheaper and more rapid in its operation. There is, therefore, pro vided. at each terminal blower mechanisms D and E comprising a suction blower 25 connected with'the tube 1 by means of a flue 26. The blower is operated by a motor'27 having a controller 28, for by' controlling;

the speed of the motor, the speed of the car' rier through the tube may also be controlled. This blower mechanism is adapted to ex haust the air infront of the carrier so that it is drawn from one terminal to the other by'the suction or vacuum produced. .For

example, in sending a carrier from terminal A toterminal B, the blower mechanism E is started, :the' blower mechanism D be ng at rest-meanwhile. vVhen sending a carrier in the opposite directionpof course, there;

verse takes place. a V V 7 'After a carrier has been received in one of theterminals the cylinder revolves until the carrier is opposite thereceiving table T,"

where it maybe conveniently ejected from the chamber byopening'a valve 29 in a pipe 30 passing through the rear end plate 5' op posite the chamber. This pipe 30 is connected with any suitabl source ofcom- Guide lugs 19 wdraw the carrier through the tube. stationary section 38 of the receiving table be gently'forced out upon the receiving table where it may be unloaded at leisure, after which the valve 29 isagain closed. I

W hen the terminal is usedin Sfilldlllg tllfi carrier, or as a despatching means, the'cars rier is moved upon the section 31 of the receiving table which is supported on a piston 32, mounted in a cylinder 33. On openmg a valve 34, air or water will be admitted beneath the piston to'raise the section 31 to a position opposite the chamber 8, as shown in F1gs.2 and 5. 'As the section 31 is raised it will also raise a gate 35 sliding in suitable guides 36 inthe end plate 4: of the-terminal. This gate 35 is adapted normally to close the end of the chamber 8 so as to form an air pocket to arrestthe movement of the carrier C when coming into the terminal, A. check valve 37 mounted in this gate prevents the air from escaping when compressed by the arrivin carrier et aermits air to enter the chamber to prevent a vacuum being formed therein when the blower mechanism at that terminal is in operation. As the trip 121s free to swingto the left, the carrier may be'rolled into the chamber 8 from the section.

31 without in any way interfering with the lockingmechanism, whereupon the blower mechanism at the other end of the tube may be started, if not already in. operation, to The T may be of any desired length or width,

whereby'several carriers may be stored or 'eenveniently loaded and unloaded without interfering with the receiving and sending of other carriers.

It will be noted on reference to Fig. 2 that the tube just before reaching the cylinr in an exaggerated form, and the bore of the chamber 8 is made to correspond with the pression between the coacting surfaces of the carrier and chamber, In this way the carrier will be more effectively arrested Conversely, when starting a carrier,, there is der is slightly tapered as indicated at less chance [for the air to leak around the outside, "and, therefore, it will. be-drawii into'thetube more readily. i.

' This system maybe operated substantially as follows 1 On sendinga carrier from A v to B the blower mechanism E is started and the carrier positioned upon the seetion31 of therece v'ing table, the valve 3a is opened, which simultaneously raises the section 31 'and'gate 35 until the carrier is opposite the chamber 8. The carrier 0 may then be rolled nto the chamber very easily 1 as it willbe materially aided by the suetioncreated by the blower mechanism E at the opposite ends of the system. It will then be drawn rapidly through the tube until it arrives at the terminal B where it enters the chamber 8 and is silently and gradually arrested in the air pocket formed by the closed end wall thereof. On entering the cylinder it actuates the trip 12 to release the locking mechanism whence it falls by gravity to its lower position opposite the receiving table. The valve 29 is then opened which blows the carrier out onto the receiving table, after which the valve is closed again. As the cylinder rotates rapidly under the weight of the carrier from its receiving position to its delivery position, in which latter position it is ready to receive another carrier, it will be seen that the carriers may be sent one after the other in rapid succession through the tube.

t will thus be seen that this invention provides a simple and practical device adapted to convey carriers in either direction over a single tube, thereby accomplishing, among others, all the objects and advantages above set forth.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the. accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a conveyor, arotatable member containing a plurality of chambers, a tube, looking means connected with each chamber for maintaining alinement between it. and the tube, means for rendering inoperative the locking means of all of the chambers which are out of alinement with the tube, a carrier, and means operated by the entrance of the carrier into the alined chamber for releas ing the locking means and permitting the member to rotate and thus carry the chamber to a new position.

9.. In a conveyor, a rotatable member containing a plurality of chambers, a tube, i11- dopendent locking means associated with each chamber for maintaining it in alinement with the tube, means for rendering i11- operative the locking means of the chambers which are out of alinement, a carrier, and means in each chamber for unlocking the rotatable member, such means operated by the entrance of the carrier into the chamber which is in alinement with the tube; the rotatable member being so mounted that when it is unlocked the weight of the carrier causes it to move to a new position and bring another chamber into alinement with the tube and locking place.

3. In a conveyor, a tube, areceiving table out of line with the tube, a rotatable member containing a plurality of chambers between the tube and the receiving table, a carrier, the rotatable member being so shaped and mounted that the weight of the carrier moves the receiving chamber out of alinement with the tube and into alinement with the receiving table and brings another chamber into alinement with the tube, looking means associated with each chamber, means for rendering inoperative the locking means of the chambers which are out of alinement with the tu e, and means operated by the carrier entering the chamber which is in alinement with the tube for un- 7 locking the rotatable member.

4:. In a conveyer, a tube, a receiving table out of line wlth the tube, a rotatable member containing a plurality of chambers being means associated with each chamber,

means for rendering inoperative the locking means of the chambers which are out of alinement with the tube, and means operated by the carrier entering the chamber which is in alinement with the tube for unlocking the rotatable member, and a pawl preventing the rebound of the rotatable member.

5. In a conveyor, a carrier, a rotatable member containing a plurality of chambers, a supporting frame therefor, locking means between the member and the frame associated with each chamber, means for rendering inoperative some of the locking means, and means located substantially mid way oi each chamber for unlocking the rotatable member, such means actuated by the entrance of a carrier into the chamber, whereby said member rotates to bring another chamber into alinement with the tube.

6. In a conveyer construction, in combination, a tube, and a movable member having an opening therein normally in alinement with said tube and closed at one end to form an air cushion for arresting a carrier, the inner diameter of the further end of said opening being less than the major inner diameter of said tubes.

7. In a conveyer construction, in combination, a tube, and a movable member adjacent the end of said tube having an opening therein normally in alinement with the bore of said tube, the interior of said tube graduallytapering as it approaches said opening whereby a more eliicient air cushion will be formed for the carrier received thereby.

8. In a conveyer construction, in combination, a rotatable member having a plurality r. tion, a rotatablemember having a plurality of chambers therem, end supports between which said member is mounted, a movable a,

gate adjacent the end of one of said chambers, an entrance tube adjacent the opposite end, a receiving table adjacent the end of another of said chambers, and means for simultaneously moving the said receiving table into alinement with the first of said chambers and opening the normally closed gate thereof. i u

10.. In a conveyor construction, in: comblnation, a member having a plurality of chambers therein, end plates between which said member is adaptedto rotate, a tube in line with one of said chambers, a receiving table in line with another of said chambers and vertically below said first-mentioned chamber, locking means for holding said member against rotation, means for releasing said locking means on thearrival of a carrier in the upper of said chambers where by the member is permitted to rotate under the weight of the carrier until the carrier is opposite. the receiving table, and means whereby said carrier may be discharged from said chamber. r

11. In a. conveyer construction, in combination, a member having a plurality of chambers therein, end plates between which said member is adapted to rotate, a tube in line with one of said chambers,a receiving table in line with another of said chambers vertically below saidfirst-mentioned chamber, locking means for holding said member against rotation, means for releasing said vance of the carrierpassing therethrough in either direction, a movable member having I an opening normally registering with the bore of the tube positioned at each end thereof, the said members being adapted to receive and arrest the movement of the car riers, means for locking the members against movement, and means for releasing the locking means as a carrier enters the movable member before the carrier is brought to a position ofrest.

13. In: a conveyor construction, in combination, two revolving terminal members, a tube connecting saidmembers, suction means connected with said tube near the ends thereof adjacent said revolving members for. re-' ducmg the air pressure 1n the tube in advance ot'a carrier being sent from one terminal to the other, and means associated with the revolving members for preventing the air pressure therein from being reduced.

14:. In a conveyer construction, in combination, two revolving terminal members having a passage therein adapted to act as an air cushion to a carrier received thereby, a tube connecting said revolving members,

means connected with the tube for reducing the air pressure in advance ofthe carrier being sent therethrough, and valve mechanism for admitting air to the interior of said revolving members, thus maintaining asubstantlally normal atmospheric pressure therein when receiving the carrier.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature, in the presence of two witnesses. I

CHARLES H, BURTON.

Witnesses C. C. SHARAH, V

' FRANK ANDERSON. I I

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissionerof Eatents,

V i Washington, 3). C. 

